Chalk dust and the thick stench of sulfur fought for air inside the Dwarven makeshift command center.
The once-magnificent marble floor now vibrated in a rhythmic pulse. The boom of Siege cannons echoed from the direction of the West Gap. Every tremor shook loose shards of stalactites, raining down on the giant stone table in the center of the room.
The chaotic shouting match between the Northreach delegation and the Stone Council was instantly silenced. Their second layer of defense had just been breached.
Roland Sudrath leaned against the edge of the table. His dark blue coat was torn at the shoulder, stained with dirt and the remnants of leather bindings. His white shirt was soaked in cold sweat.
Yet, his gray eyes glared sharply, piercing through the dim glow of the ancient stone map before him.
"Show me the structure of the collapsed tunnel, Rianor," Roland's voice cut through the rumble, calm yet dominating.
